Tiger, Tiger: An '80s Classic Turns 30

It was on this day in 1983, that those heartthrobs from Duran Duran released their third studio album entitled Seven and the Ragged Tiger.  It has been said that the "seven" refers to the five members, John, Simon, Nick, Roger and Andy, along with their two managers at the time and that the "ragged tiger" is a metaphor for the success that people are always chasing after.  Despite many delays and arguments between the band, producers and management, Seven and the Ragged Tiger quickly became one of their best albums, although critics did not receive it with loving arms upon the first few listens.

Soon after the release of the album, Duran Duran embarked on a major world tour which would later be featured in the movie Sing Blue Silver, directed by Russell Mulcahy, as well as the Arena live album and video.  Singles from the album included "The Reflex," "New Moon on Monday" and "Union of the Snake" which of course meant more videos for those MTV favorites. 

It was during this time that I discovered and fell in love with Duran Duran so clearly this album means something special to me.  So, for nostalgia's sake, kick back and relax and enjoy the sounds of this delightful album.  Happy Anniversary to Seven and the Ragged Tiger!  

Remembering A Music Legend: Lou Reed 1942-2013*

Today news quickly spread about the passing of legendary music pioneer, Lou Reed.  His band, Velvet Underground, may have never gained huge commercial success but its cult status continues to live on.  I hate to admit that I am not familiar with too much of Reed's works, but his music touched the lives of many other musicians that went on to form some of my favorite bands and for that I am grateful.  You will be missed, Lou Reed.  Time for you to join Andy, Edie and Nico and take a walk on the wild side.  

Thanks to iAN Ottaway for the photo.  

Heart & Soul and a Little Magic in NOLA

Magic and voodoo are two words that come to mind when thinking of the great city of New Orleans.  Making the drive from Houston, I started to feel a little bit of that magic as we approached the Crescent City to see the current owners of my heart and favorite band, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

I first caught BRMC about six months ago during their first leg of the U.S. tour in support of their new album, Specter at the Feast.  At that time, I knew little about the band, even less about their music, but what happened that night was magical, indeed, and changed my heart and soul forever.  Now I was finally heading east for my second BRMC show, fully armed and ready to rock.  Walking through the French Quarter and along Bourbon Street, I quickly knew I was in the right setting for a BRMC show.  There was grittiness and brilliant beauty in every corner; darkness and lightness casting shadows throughout.  Much like the band, the city has weathered many storms, but only the scars remain and it is a stronger version of its previous self, sharing that spirit with the world. 

The day finally arrived that I had been waiting anxiously for the last 12 weeks.  The warm sun shined down and the air was breezy as we made our way over to check out the venue, the recently renovated Civic Theatre.  No signs of the band yet, so we decided to take it easy…and then magic stepped in.  When we came back, the band had just gotten there for load in and sound check and Robert and Peter were outside talking to the members of opening band, Plowboy (more to come on them).  I nervously made my way over to Peter in hopes of being able to speak and not sound like a bumbling, star struck idiot.  I barely made it out alive, but it was one of the greatest “magic” moments of the day.  Peter scurried off with the members of Plowboy so we chatted with Robert for a few minutes and I got to thank him for his music as well as let him know that his father’s music was a big part of my life growing up and today.  After Robert left to join his band mates inside, I stood there in amazement and awe of the fact that I just met two people that have unknowingly become such a huge inspiration to me.  I definitely needed a drink after that.

Finally, it was show time.  The lights dimmed and out from the darkness emerged those three angels of music.  Three chords into opening song, “Hate the Taste,” and I felt like I was home.  After all the anticipation over the previous weeks, I was finally there, standing in front of Peter as he struck every chord and sang every note.  His face wrought with emotion every step of the way.  Leah remained hidden from my view for most of the show, but her power behind the kit blasted through causing my heart to skip a few beats, resetting it to match her rhythmic pulse.  And then there was Rob a.k.a. Babe Shadow whose light may have shined the brightest as he energized the crowd with those driving lines.  Magic was happening.

The night continued with other favorites from Specter as well as other classics from previous albums like “Ain’t No Easy Way,” “Berlin,” and “In Like the Rose” sprinkled throughout the show.  Surprise of the night was the addition of “Evol” from 2010’s Beat the Devil’s Tattoo, but for me seeing and hearing “American X” and “Promise” performed live were the most magical moments of the show.  Robert poured so much heart and soul into those two songs you couldn’t help but experience the emotional intensity right along with him.  I’m pretty sure my heart stopped during “American X” before Peter brought it back to life with “Screaming Gun.”  And “Promise” was so heartfelt and pure that I had to wonder if a certain someone was on Rob’s mind that night as he pounded the piano keys, taking an extra tender moment at the end and keeping his head down before leaving the stage for Peter’s acoustic solo of “Some Kind of Ghost.”  I got the feeling that the band might have had a little bit of a chip on their collective shoulder which only brought the passion out on stage that much more.  All of that emotion and passion and intensity helped to create a very special show in the Voodoo City.  I wasn’t ready for it to end, but are we ever?

What I left with will be another moment embedded into my heart forever.  That is why those who love this band, love them wholeheartedly because they connect with you on another level, bury themselves into your soul and take you along for one hell of a ride leaving you feeling satisfied yet wanting so much more in the end.  Seeing them twice in one year, meeting them and thanking them for allowing us to be a part of their world through their music as well as finding some new friends  along the way has been beyond amazing for me these last six months.  And somehow I feel like the magic is just getting started. 

Atomic: A Night of Blondie & X

I recently won a contest from one of my favorite Houston live music venues, Warehouse Live, and the prize was getting to attend all of their fall shows for free.  Seeing as how I love live music and have caught some other great shows at this venue, this was right up my alley.  First up on the list of “must see” shows was Blondie and X.

Legendary New York punk pioneers, Blondie, returned to Houston last Friday as part of their “No Principals” tour and they brought along their west coast friends, X, to join in on the ride.  And what a ride it was.  I have been fortunate to see Debbie Harry and company a handful of times before, but I never thought I would have the opportunity to see X up close and personal in such an intimate venue.  It was like something out of a Los Angeles punk scene fairy tale.   And it was no surprise that the moment Exene Cervenka and John Doe took the stage the place exploded with excitement.  Ripping through raging hits like “I’m Coming Over,” “True Love,” and the cult classic “Los Angeles,” X never skipped a beat and got the crowd lit with excitement and left them wanting more.   Throughout the show, Exene and John exchanged quite a bit of banter with the audience expressing their gratitude to be back in Texas.  Seeing as how X are punk legends in their own right, it was the perfect beginning to a night sure to be wrought with nostalgic bliss for both the bands and fans alike.

Then it was time for those sweethearts of CBGB’s to take the stage and what better way to keep the party going than to kick it into higher gear with “One Way or Another” before introducing the crowd to a new track, “Rave,” from their 2013 release Ghosts of Download.  There was no slowing down either as the hits kept coming while Debbie, guitarist Chris Stein and drummer Clem Burke raucously pounded out more gems from their extensive catalog sharing the very heart and soul that has kept these three a tight knit group for over four decades.  Incorporating new songs with the classics that most people come out to hear can sometimes be a tricky situation, but definitely one of the highlights of the night was when they performed “Drag You Around” from their latest endeavor which featured some amazing guitar work by Tommy Kessler who has been touring with Blondie as lead guitarist since 2010.  Let’s face it though, Blondie is probably most notably known for a certain little song called “Rapture” that changed the face of music upon its initial release.  This time around, though, Debbie upped the ante and followed the tune with a short cover of “No Sleep ‘til Brooklyn” of Beastie Boys fame.  Yep, that happened.  And it was awesome.   The show ended with my favorite Blondie song of all time, “Dreaming” from 1979’s Eat to the Beat.  

The night could not have been more perfect from beginning to end.   This was undoubtedly the best Blondie show I have witnessed and to see X live was just the icing on the cake to make the night that much sweeter and memorable.  For two bands to still have the following they do is a testament to the imprint they have left on music forever.  And may the light never go out on their legacy and only shine brighter as the years go on.  This was truly a show I will never forget.  Until next time Warehouse Live.  

Whole Lotta Shows

Fall has arrived and it looks like I'm going to be one busy lady! In addition to the shows I was already planning on seeing this fall, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in New Orleans, Holy Ghost!, Chromatics/Glass Candy and Brian Setzer Orchestra, I am now going to be catching quite a few shows at one of my favorite Houston venues, Warehouse Live.  Earlier this month, Warehouse Live ran a contest on their Facebook page and the prize was a guest list spot to all of their shows this fall as well as a signed Blondie poster.  Well, lo and behold, I actually won and will be enjoying the rockin' sounds of Blondie and X tonight.  I definitely plan to catch as many of these other shows as possible.  What an amazing opportunity to check out some great up and coming bands! So be on the lookout over the next few months for some reviews and photos.  Below is a list of the shows.  Which ones would you check out?

A Very Happy Birthday to My Favorite Rock Goddess, Shirley Manson

I was a starry-eyed 15 year old when I first discovered the band Garbage.  Shirley Manson's take no sh*t attitude and her sexy look definitely appealed to me, but it was her lyrics that really got me hooked.  Nearly 20 years later, I still adore and admire this strong, outspoken woman.  They are still a great band to see live and she can still command a room just as she did when they first hit the scene. 

Today is Shirley Manson's 47th birthday and another reason for me to love her is that it is also my birthday.  So here's to another wonderful year, Shirley! Keep rockin'!

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Announce More Tour Dates

Yesterday was a day of happiness for many Black Rebel Motorcycle Club fans and a day of sadness for others as the band announced its next round of tour dates which will take them pretty much around the world and back. Still supporting their latest release, Specter at the Feast, BRMC aims to please all of their fans and will be making stops in the U.S., Russia and Australia before rounding it out in Japan in November. Many die hard fans in Europe were hoping for more dates to be added in their neck of the woods as were some in Canada and South America. Still, just because these dates don't include those stops, that doesn't mean the band won't continue on with their journey and pick those places up in an added set of dates at a later time.

I'm checking them out in New Orleans, LA! I have never been to NOLA so this will be a treat! Of course, the just mentioned Austin show would be the closer show, but I'm in the mood for a road trip! Hope you get to make it out to see them near your part of the world.

UPDATE: Additional dates have been added for New Zealand. 

 

 

 

Mazzy Star to Release New Album in September

In an announcement that stunned me and fans across the world, Mazzy Star announced today that they would be releasing their first album in 17 years.  Seasons of Your Day is set to be released on September 24th via Rhymes of an Hour Records and the band gave fans a small taste of what's to come with the first single, "California." I have loved Hope Sandoval's angelic voice for years and am so excited for this new album.  The band announced on their Facebook page that a tour will be following as well.  To see them live would simply be pure bliss.  I hope you enjoy the new single as much as I do. 



  

Review: Camera Obscura's 'Desire Lines'

My favorite Glasgow band, Camera Obscura, is finally back with their long awaited follow up to 2009’s My Maudlin Career. Desire Lines, released last week via 4AD, is the band’s fifth studio album and captures the very essence of why so many love and adore this charismatic quintet.

The album starts off with a brief instrumental introduction, sort of a “please take your seats as we take you on an enrapturing journey,” but it isn’t long before the sweet sound of Tracyanne Campbell’s voice fills the listener’s ear and the familiar sounds of Camera Obscura come whisking back at you. It is a sound that the band has made their own over the years consisting of reverb guitars and classic drum beats and while Desire Lines may not delve too far into unknown, experimental territories, it does give you a comforting sense of nostalgia and familiarity like that of an old and dear friend.

There are some really outstanding gems on this album. My two favorites so far on the first couple of listens are “Cri du Coeur” and “Fifth in Line to the Throne.” Tracyanne’s lyrics always have a way of tugging at my heart strings and bringing either past or current experiences to a light that I might have never seen. “This is Love (Feels Alright)” and “New Year’s Resolution” have more of the “poppy” sound that is reminiscent of “Let’s Get Out of This Country” and “French Navy.” It’s a perfect well rounded mixture of longing and hope and joy and it seems that with each album, this band just continues to put out their best work.

I’m really hoping for a tour in support of this album. The band was slated to perform at this year’s SXSW Festival, but had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances. They are currently playing shows in the UK and are doing some shows here in the US, mostly along the west coast and a few shows in the NYC area with She and Him.  Hopefully they come back to Texas so that I can finally experience their beauty in person. I suppose for now, this fantastic new piece of work by the band will just have to suffice. Happy listening!

Sometimes the Light Shines at the Right Time

It’s funny how you can listen to a song or an album as a kid and not really think much of it. Listening to it just becomes a part of your daily routine because your parents are listening to it, but somehow that song or album gets buried into your heart and soul and stays with you for years to come, molding what becomes your musical tastes for today. I must have been about six years old when The Call’s Reconciled album hit the airwaves. We were living in Corpus Christi and my dad’s band was pretty much on the outs by that point and soon we’d be moving to Houston. I remember listening to that tape in the car just about every day on my way to and from school and everywhere else in between. When you’re a kid, you don’t really pay attention to the lyrics and I couldn’t really understand why my parents had grown to love this album so much. I mean, “I Still Believe” sounds a little silly to a six year old that would rather listen to Duran Duran with her sisters instead of whatever band her parents were into at that moment. Now, as an adult, I’ve learned to appreciate that album and it is one that I still reach for whenever I’m in need of an old, comforting friend. Michael Been’s faith inspired lyrics are a breath of fresh air especially in today’s state of popular music that drones the radio waves. The Call was truly an underrated band in every sense of the word. They were pegged by critics to be the U2 of the US but never quite got to that point; still, they acquired quite the following that has stood by their side even to this day. When Michael Been passed in 2010, a huge part of music died with him. That is, until now. 

And I shouldn’t even say “until now” because this particular band has been around for the last decade and are only getting better as they go along. That band is Black Rebel Motorcycle Club with Been’s son, Robert, taking on duties as bass player and co-founder. I had seen the name Black Rebel Motorcycle Club floating around various websites over the years, but I’m ashamed to say that I never really gave them the time of day. I don’t know why, I can sometimes be a little bit of a music snob and I just figured they were some “new, rock alternative blah band” that wouldn’t do much for me. That all changed last summer when I was tooling around on YouTube looking for something new and exciting to catch my fancy.  I clicked on BRMC’s “Love Burns” video and I quickly fell in love. So I did what any modern person does when they want to know more about a certain subject; I Googled them. And I discovered that Robert was Michael’s son and that Michal had been acting as BRMC’s sound engineer, mentor, friend and honorary fourth member for many years up to his death. Well, now I have to love this band, right? But as much as I enjoyed their sound, I sort of put them on a shelf for a later date. Not much was going on with them at this point. They hadn’t announced too much of what would be their latest album, Specter at the Feast, during that time and I sometimes have a knack of getting into a band on the tail end of their existence so I didn’t want to start something with his band that I couldn’t finish. Plus, even in the world of music listening, timing is everything and at that time, BRMC just wasn’t meant to become a part of my life. 

And that’s the funny thing about timing. It can be a person or a thing or a song or an album that can come into your life and you don’t have any idea that it is going to be a life changer. And that’s exactly what happened when BRMC’s Specter at the Feast came into my life. I casually picked it up at Cactus Music on Record Store Day in anticipation of the concert the following weekend thinking to myself, “Hey, I better know some songs for this show.” I didn’t have any idea as to how much I was going to fall in love with that album and the band as a whole. After Michael Been’s passing in 2010, the band understandably took time to grieve and figure out the next step. During that time, they wrote what I believe to be some of their greatest pieces to date. There are so many great moments on that album starting with the ethereal, bass driven opener, “Firewalker” before tearing into a dynamic and inspirational cover of The Call’s “Let the Day Begin.” The listener gets invited into a journey of grief, frustration, hope, joy and sadness. I really felt a lot of Robert’s healing as he sang “Returning” and “Lullaby” with lyrics like “You are the hand I can’t reach, you are the words I can't speak.” The center of the album revolves around the classic, gritty guitar laden rock anthem songs that BRMC is more known for with “Hate the Taste”, “Rival” and “Teenage Disease” proving that Peter Hayes is still a solid songwriter and guitar player. Other great tracks on the album are “Some Kind of Ghost” and “Sometimes the Light.” Each song gives a feeling of connectedness, picking up where the other leaves off and the band does an excellent job at bringing the listener full circle by ending the album with the epic masterpiece of “Lose Yourself.” 

I have to say, there is one song in particular that on most listens, doesn’t leave me with a dry eye and that’s “Returning.” I don’t know what it is about that song, but between Leah's beautifully rhythmic pulse of her drums, Robert’s poetic words and the intertwining layers of Robert and Peter’s melodic guitar and bass, I really feel like I’m there with them, experiencing whatever pain or sadness they experienced during these last few years. Personally for me, the message in that song is about returning from such a sad event and learning to start over and move on and having faith that it will all work out in the end. And sometimes we just need to be reminded of that. I really get a sense that Michael was with them throughout this whole process of creating this beautiful album, even if it was in a spiritual, emotional way. 

Music is an amazing thing. It can touch people in many different ways. It can lift you up, it can make you sad, it can make you laugh, it can make you cry and it can help heal your heart. When people are able to make music like that it’s a special gift and not everyone that creates music is given that gift to touch someone the way certain bands or musicians do. Michael Been and his music that he created with The Call started a legacy that would be carried on by his son and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. There’s no doubt that I’m certainly in a different place in my life now than I was a year ago when I first gave this band a listen and that is why now I feel like they have become part of my soul. I needed them now and I needed this album to come into my life now. I don’t know why and I certainly wasn’t planning on falling in love with them the way I have, but to say that I have become “obsessed” with this band is an understatement. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is something special and their loyal fans know it. Seeing them perform live in April, experiencing first hand their passion and love of music and appreciation for their devoted fans only solidifies that place in my heart that only a few have ever been able to reach. It is a place that I expect Robert, Peter and Leah will hold for many years to come. Perhaps one day our paths will cross and I’ll be able to thank them for sharing their heart and soul with the world. Until then, I hope they continue to spread their love and share their light.

Photo taken by Summer Davis at Warehouse Live in Houston, TX on 4/28/2013.

Anniversary of The Cure's Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me

Today is the anniversary of The Cure's seventh studio album, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. That album helped solidify their spot in music, especially here in the US with the release of one of the band's most successful, popular and recognizable singles to date, "Just Like Heaven." However, there are really some other great tracks on that album that most people have never heard. Below is one of my favorite Cure songs of all time and is really one of the reasons why I love this band. I hope you enjoy!